How to Measure Up for Electric TV Lift Beds: A Simple Sizing Guide

To measure for an electric TV lift bed, record four things: the floor length and width of the room, the clear space you need around the bed, the ceiling height above the footboard, and the size of the television you want to fit. Then compare those figures with the overall bed dimensions, which are always longer than a standard bed because the lift sits inside the footboard. Finally, check the access route into the room so the bed can be delivered and assembled.

That is the short answer. The detail below walks you through each step so you can order with confidence. Our electric TV lift beds UK range lists full dimensions on each product, as does every piece in our wider bedroom furniture UK sale collection, and having your own measurements ready makes comparing them simple.

What You Need Before You Start

Gather a few basic tools before you begin:

• A metal tape measure of at least five metres.
• Masking tape or decorator’s tape for marking the floor.
• A notebook or your phone for recording figures.
• A second person, if possible, to hold the tape on longer runs.

Measure in centimetres, as most UK bed dimensions are listed this way.

Step One: Measure the Room

Measure the length and width of the room at floor level. Walls are not always completely straight, particularly in older homes, so take each measurement in two or three places and use the smallest figure.

Note the position of anything that affects where the bed can go: radiators, windows, doors, fitted cupboards, sockets and light switches. A rough sketch of the room with these marked on it is useful later.

Step Two: Understand TV Bed Dimensions

An electric TV lift bed is longer than a standard bed of the same size. The footboard contains the lift mechanism and the TV, so it adds depth. The headboard may also add a few centimetres.

As a general guide, UK mattress sizes are:

• Double: 135 by 190cm
• King size: 150 by 200cm
• Super king: 180 by 200cm

The external frame of a TV bed will be noticeably larger than these figures. Always use the product’s overall length and width rather than the mattress size when planning.

Step Three: Plan Clearance Around the Bed

Clearance is the space you need to move comfortably around the bed, make it each morning and open doors and drawers.

• Sides: allow at least 50cm, ideally 60 to 70cm.
• Foot of the bed: allow at least 60cm. The TV rises vertically, but you still need to walk past it.
• Wardrobes and drawers: add the depth of an open door or drawer to the clearance in front of them.

Mark the full outline of the bed on the floor with masking tape. Walk around it, open doors and pull out drawers. This simple test reveals problems a tape measure alone can miss.

Step Four: Check the Ceiling Height

When the TV rises from the footboard, it extends above the bed. In most rooms this causes no difficulty, but sloping ceilings, loft rooms and low beams need checking.

Measure from the floor to the ceiling directly above where the footboard will sit. Compare this with the bed’s maximum raised height, which should be listed in the product details, or estimate it by adding the height of your TV to the height of the footboard. Leave a comfortable margin above the top of the screen.

Step Five: Match the TV to the Lift

Every lift mechanism has limits. Check three points:

1. Maximum screen size: usually given in inches. The TV must fit inside the footboard when lowered.
2. Maximum weight: the lift is rated for a specific load. Check your TV’s weight without its stand.
3. Mounting pattern: the VESA pattern on the back of the TV must match the bracket in the bed.

Measure the width of your TV, not just the diagonal. A wide bezel or a speaker bar on the bottom edge can affect fit. If you plan to buy a new TV, choose the bed first and select a screen that matches its specification.

Viewing distance

The TV sits close to you when raised from the footboard, typically around two metres from the pillows on a standard frame. A screen between 32 and 43 inches suits most double and king size TV beds at this distance.

Step Six: Plan Power and Sockets

An electric TV lift bed needs a mains socket for the motor, and your TV needs one too. Some beds supply a single connection for both. Note where your sockets are and make sure the bed’s power cable will reach without stretching across a walkway.

Avoid relying on long extension leads if possible. If you need one, choose a good quality lead and route it safely behind furniture.

Step Seven: Check Bedside Space

Most people want a bedside cabinet on each side. Add the width of each cabinet to the bed width, then add a little extra so they do not press against the frame.

A cabinet around the same height as the top of the mattress is most comfortable to use. Our range of modern bedside cabinets UK lists the width, depth and height of each piece so you can add them to your plan accurately.

Step Eight: Measure the Delivery Route

This step is easy to forget. Measure every point the bed must pass through: the front door, hallway, staircase, landing and bedroom door. Note the narrowest width and the lowest height, and look for tight turns on the stairs.

Most TV beds arrive flat packed in several boxes, which helps. The footboard containing the lift is usually the largest and heaviest part, so check the box dimensions if they are listed.

Step Nine: Choose the Right Mattress

A TV bed uses a standard UK mattress size, but depth matters. A very deep mattress can raise the sleeping surface above the footboard and partly block the view of the TV. Check the recommended mattress depth for the bed you choose.

Our mattresses UK sale range includes a variety of depths and firmness levels to suit different frames.

Step Ten: Think About Where You Will Sit and Watch

Measurements are not only about fit. They also affect how comfortable the bed is to use. When you sit up against the headboard, your eyes should be roughly level with the centre of the raised screen. A very tall headboard with thick pillows can lift you higher than expected, while a low footboard may place the screen slightly below your eye line.

If you can, sit on your current bed against the headboard and ask someone to measure the height of your eyes from the floor. Compare that with the listed raised height of the TV. A small difference is fine. A large one may mean choosing a different frame height or mattress depth.

Radiators, windows and light

Avoid placing the footboard directly in front of a radiator, as the lift housing will block heat from reaching the room. Similarly, a window behind the raised TV can cause glare during the day. Your floor plan sketch from step one makes these conflicts easy to spot before you decide where the bed should go.

Recording your figures

Write every measurement down in one place, ideally with a simple sketch. Take a photograph of the room from the doorway too. When you compare products later, you will have everything needed to rule out designs that will not fit and focus on those that will.

A Simple Measuring Checklist

Before you order, confirm each of the following:

• Room length and width, measured at the narrowest points.
• Overall bed length and width, including footboard and headboard.
• At least 50 to 60cm of clearance at the sides and foot.
• Ceiling height above the footboard with the TV raised.
• TV width, weight and VESA pattern within the lift limits.
• Socket position and cable reach.
• Bedside cabinet widths.
• Narrowest point on the delivery route.
• Recommended mattress depth.

Common Measuring Mistakes

A few errors come up time and again:

• Using mattress size instead of the overall frame size.
• Forgetting radiators that project from the wall.
• Ignoring skirting boards, which reduce floor space slightly.
• Measuring the TV diagonal but not its actual width.
• Not checking that wardrobe doors clear the bed.

For a fuller picture of standard sizes, our guide to UK king size bed dimensions for frame, mattress and room explains how frame and mattress sizes differ, and our article on bedside table measurements for UK bedrooms covers heights and widths in more detail.

Taking a little extra time at this stage avoids disappointment on delivery day. You can find electric TV lift beds, mattresses and bedside storage, all with clear dimensions, at Furniture in Fashion, with free delivery to most UK mainland postcodes.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much longer is a TV bed than a normal bed?

It varies by design, but the footboard usually adds noticeable length. Always check the overall dimensions listed for the specific bed.

What size TV fits in a TV lift bed?

Most double and king size TV beds suit screens of around 32 to 43 inches. Check the maximum size, weight and VESA pattern for your chosen model.

Do I need a special mattress for a TV bed?

No, a standard UK mattress fits. However, check the recommended depth so the mattress does not block your view of the screen.

Can I fit a TV bed in a room with a sloping ceiling?

Often, yes. Measure the ceiling height above the footboard and compare it with the maximum raised height of the TV before ordering.